Cupcakes for a birthday girl and an anxious mom

Today is my Boo’s 3rd birthday. It’s also her very first day of school. As a mom, I’m experiencing some withdrawal symptoms of sorts as well as anxieties about letting her out into the big, bad world. It’s only natural I know, but it’s compounded by the fact that Boo is my only child. Local band, Parokya ni Edgar hit the emotional nail on the head with their hit song, “First Day Funk.” It’s what’s running through my head as I write this. I laugh when I remember my Bin asking me this morning, “How are you?’

“I’m fine,” I replied, somewhat distractedly. “Thanks for asking.”

“Okay, because it’s you I’m worried about, not Boo.” (Ha! As if!)

Apprehension aside, every birthday is special, so I made some cupcakes for Boo to share with her new classmates. In the States, cupcakes’ popularity may have plateaued, but here in Manila, it still needs to take off. Goodies & Sweets is the only place I know that sells these little things.

I made Red Velvet Cupcakes, a retro sort of cake with vague origins. It started several decades ago when home bakers embraced cakes with delicious and unusual ingredients (tomato sauce and mayonnaise among some of them). Red Velvet is a butter cake dyed a deep red. It has a haunting cocoa flavor. Because of its color, it screams Valentine’s Day, but I think it would be perfect for just about any occasion. The buttermilk and baking soda add to the tenderness of the crumb.

There are some people who consider cupcakes a mere vehicle for frosting, so my cupcakes always have plenty of it. From what I’ve seen, little kids are suckers for cupcake frosting. They love to lick until there’s nothing left, completely ignoring the cake itself, and then they ask for another cupcake only to do the same thing over again.

I topped these cupcakes with a creamy, fluffy frosting, but any other white frosting including cream cheese would do just as well. Some silver dragée (edible silver balls) and colorful chocolate sprinkles dress the cupcakes up nicely. Boo loves to help decorate and she’s even learning how to pipe icing from the pastry bag.

After it was done, I sat back and admired them. Now that Boo’s in school, I should do the same.

In really early school years, that’s how your friends know your parents. Mine was the Mommy who made Nice Spaghetti. My friend’s Mom was the Mommy who gave me Ice Cream. Another friend had the Mommy with Chocolate in her Bag.

I hope your Boo has fun in school! I remember the earliest years with the most fondness.

I see cupcakes as mini more manageable cakes when I’m too lazy to make a huge one. I.E. Instead of making an entire Carrot Cake I’m happy with making just a dozen carrot cupcakes.

If your daughter bakes with you, she’ll also have fond memories of those days when she used to bake with mommy. I know I remember the days when my own mum had less children, and more time to cook. These days she’s too busy working and traveling, but I’m glad I’ve inherited her trusty Kitchenaid and love for all things to do with food.

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